]A division of the Spokane County Bar Association, the SYLD provides new and young lawyers with networking and referral opportunities, social connections, and low-cost CLEs on topics of special interest to those who are new to practice. Members of the SCBA who are under the age of 36 or within the first five years of practice (whichever occurs later) are automatically members of the SYLD without further dues or registration.
If you fit the definition of an SYLD member and are not already receiving emails from us, please contact Corey Riordan to have your name added to our list. NOTE: To add yourself to the Young Lawyers Division via your profile on this web site at www.spokanebar.org/scba-member-login/. Under My Account, click on Add a Section or Division. Click on Young Lawyers Division to add yourself to this division.
PRESIDENT
DEANNA WILLMAN
Witherspoon Brajcich McPhee, PLLC
(509) 252-5678
DWillman@WorkWith.com
Deanna Willman is an associate at Witherspoon Brajcich McPhee, PLLC in downtown Spokane. Her practice is focused on civil litigation and appellate work. Deanna believes in providing straightforward, compassionate assistance. Deanna knows that people bring some of their most sensitive matters to attorneys, and strives to provide her clients with comfort, while handling their problems efficiently and thoroughly. She uses her ever-developing advocacy skills to achieve her client’s goals and better the community she grew up in. Deanna is also a board member of the Spokane Chapter of Washington Women Lawyers.
PRESIDENT-ELECT
JOANNA PURYEAR
Piskel Yayne Kovarik, PLLC
(509) 321-5930
JPuryear@PYKLawyers.com
An Eastern Washington native, I attended Washington State University where I graduated with my B.A. in Political Science. After relocating to Spokane, I spent six years working for a Spokane family law firm while completing the Washington State Bar Association’s APR6 Program where I had the opportunity to develop trial and advocacy skills in real-life settings. I spent the her first three years of practice focusing on family law. My practice now focuses on real property disputes, business litigation, estate planning, and employment. Joanna is admitted to practice in Washington, Idaho (pending), the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Joanna is active in the Spokane legal community, serving as President Elect for the Spokane Young Lawyers Division, and spending time volunteering for the Volunteer Lawyers Program. She also serves on the HOBY WA corporate board, a nonprofit organization that offers leadership development programs to high school students throughout the state.
SECRETARY
STEPHANIE FAUST
Stevens Clay, P.S.
(509) 838-8330
SFaust@StevensClay.org
Stephanie Faust is an Associate Attorney for Stevens Clay, P.S., which serves education providers and municipalities throughout the State of Washington. Stephanie’s practice focuses on education and employment law. A Washington native, Stephanie earned her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Western Washington University’s Fairhaven College. In 2014, Stephanie relocated to Spokane, and in 2017, she graduated cum laude from Gonzaga University School of Law. Stephanie also serves on the board of Washington Women Lawyers Spokane Chapter.
TREASURER
COURTNEY WHITTEN
Winston & Cashatt, P.S.
(509) 838-6131
CBW@WinstonCashatt.com
A Spokane local, Courtney attended the University of Washington prior to returning home for law school. In addition to graduating Magna Cum Laude from Gonzaga University School of Law, she served as an Associate Editor of the Gonzaga Law Review, Vice President and Interim President of the Student Bar Association, and President of the William O. Douglas Committee. During law school, Courtney also interned at local law firms where she began her work in civil litigation. Courtney’s quality of work and dedication to public service have been recognized through awards and scholarships, including the Washington Young Lawyers Committee Public Service and Leadership Award for 2020. In her spare time, Courtney spends time with her family, which includes two long-haired dachshunds, bakes birthday cakes, and works at her family’s cattle ranch in Cheney, Washington.
TRUSTEES
ANDREW BROWN
Zigler Family Law
(509) 818-5555
Andrew@ZiglerFamilyLaw.com
TJ BURFORD
Lukins & Annis, P.S.
(509) 623-2002
TJBurford@Lukins.com
TJ is an associate at Lukins & Annis. His practice focuses on Commercial Real Estate transactions and Business and Corporate transactions. He received his undergraduate degree from Central Washington University in 2016 and his J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2019. He is licensed to practice in Washington.
WILLIAM AMMAL
Piskel Yahne Kovarik, PLLC
(509) 321-5930, ext. 325
WEmmal@PYKLawyers.com
William is an associate attorney with Piskel Yahne Kovarik, PLLC. William practices in the areas of construction, real property, business litigation, and landlord-tenant law.
William moved to western Washington to attend the University of Washington where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration, with an emphasis in human resources. He attended law school at Gonzaga University School of Law where he was selected to work with Professor Stephen Sepinuck on his Commercial Law Amicus Curiae Initiative. William was also a member of the Editorial Board of the Gonzaga Law Review and interned at the Spokane County Public Defender’s Office and with Superior Court Judge Raymond Clary of Spokane County Superior Court. William also interned with Armitage & Thompson, PLLC, prior to joining Piskel Yahne Kovarik, PLLC, as an intern. William earned his Juris Doctor from Gonzaga, graduating with honors.
MATTHEW COZZA
Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office
(509) 477-4509
MCozza@SpokaneCounty.org
Matt is a Deputy Prosecutor with the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office. As a member of the office’s Civil Department, he represents and advises multiple County departments and officers. Matt has a B.A. in History from Gonzaga University and a J.D. from Willamette University College of Law. After law school, he clerked for Judge Kevin Korsmo of the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division III.
ASTI GALLINA
Witherspoon Kelley
(509) 755-2092
AMG@WitherspoonKelley.com
Asti is a litigation associate at Witherspoon Kelley. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Washington State University. Before attending law school, Asti taught high school science in Phoenix, Arizona as a member of Teach for America.
Asti earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Washington School of Law, where she was a member of the Moot Court Honor Board and a Managing Editor for the Washington Law Review. Before joining private practice, Asti clerked for Judge Salvador Mendoza Jr. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington and for Judge Ronald M. Gould in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
In her spare time, Asti enjoys reading and traveling. She is conversational in Spanish.
ADAM GRIFFIS
Lukins & Annis, P.S.
(509) 623-2006
AGriffis@Lukins.com
Adam is an associate attorney at Lukins & Annis, P.S. where he focuses his practice on commercial real estate and business transactions. A western Washington native, Adam attended the University of Washington for his undergraduate degree in Law, Societies, and Justice. Adam returned to the University of Washington for his law degree, where he concentrated in Global Business Law. While attending law school, Adam interned at the Unemployment Law Project, a local non-profit organization, and was the Class Representative for his graduating Class of 2020. Upon graduation, Adam was awarded the Jack MacDonald Merit Award for his service to the greater Seattle community. Adam now resides in Spokane Valley with his long-time girlfriend and their new puppy enjoying the regular outdoor activities eastern Washington has to offer.
LUKE O’BANNAN
Kirkpatrick & Startzel
(509)455-3647
LOBannan@KS-Lawyers.com
Luke O’Bannan works as a civil litigation attorney for Kirkpatrick & Startzel, P.S. in Spokane. After graduating from Gonzaga University School of Law summa cum laude, Luke clerked for two years at Division III of the Washington State Court of Appeals before joining the team at K&S. Raised in Spokane as the middle child in a family of nine, Luke enjoys spending time with his large extended family as well as his wife and children.
ALAYNA PIWONKSI
Lukins & Annis, P.S.
(509) 455-9555
APiwonski@Lukins.com
Alayna Piwonski is an associate at Lukins & Annis, P.S. Her practice is focused in civil, business, and employment litigation. Alayna earned her B.A. in Business Administration from Washington State University, where she graduated summa cum laude in 2018. In 2020, Alayna graduated cum laude from Gonzaga University School of Law. While attending law school, Alayna served as an associate editor for the Gonzaga Journal of International Law and was a member of the Women’s Law Caucus. Alayna is admitted to practice in the State of Washington.
BRENNAN SCHREIBMAN
Washington State Attorney General’s Office
(509) 456-6389
Brennan.Schreibman@atg.wa.gov
Brennan is an Assistant Attorney General for the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, currently serving as General Counsel of Eastern Washington University. He received his undergraduate degree in philosophy and economics from Gonzaga University and his law degree from Villanova University School of Law, where he was selected as a Public Interest Scholar and served on the Villanova Law Review. After law school, Brennan worked as a law clerk for Judge Robert E. Lawrence-Berrey of the Washington State Court of Appeals and later for Judge Robert H. Whaley of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. He joined the Washington State Attorney General’s Office through the AGO’s annual Honors Program. He is admitted to practice in Washington.
MARYE SCOTT
Albrecht Law
(509) 495-1246
Marye@AlbrechtLawFirm.com
Marye is an associate at Albrecht Law focusing on personal injury, wrongful death, and insurance cases. She received her undergraduate degree from Western Washington University and worked as a paralegal for a number of years before attending Gonzaga University School of Law where she graduated magna cum laude. During school Marye worked for Albrecht Law as a law clerk, worked for Gonzaga Law as a tutor, clerked for the U.S. District Court (Eastern Washington), and worked as a licensed legal intern at Gonzaga’s Indian Law Clinic. She participated in Gonzaga’s Journal of International Law, the Civil Rights Moot Court Team, and the Moderate Means Program. Today, in addition to serving as a Trustee on the SYLD, she is also the Representative for the greater Spokane region on the Washington Young Lawyers Committee.
NICOLE WHEIR
Gonzaga University, School of Law
(509) 313-3090
Wheir@Gonzaga.edu
Ms. Wheir is an Assistant Director with the Center for Professional Development and Externships at Gonzaga University, School of Law. She works closely with students in developing their professional skills as they prepare to enter the legal field. Prior to this, Ms. Wheir established a successful career as an Associate Attorney with Paine Hamblen LLP in creditors’ rights, real estate and commercial transactions, estate planning, and complex civil defense work.
MEETINGS
The SYLD Board meets on the third Thursday of every month at various locations. All members and potential members are encouraged to attend board meetings. SYLD also hosts several regular events for members, including networking socials, Spokane Chiefs Hockey Night, and the Intro to Courts CLE. Please watch the Calendar Call and our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SpokaneYLD) for meeting and event notices.
COMMITTEES
The SYLD operates several standing committees. All SYLD members are eligible to serve on a committee.
Intro to Courts CLE Committee:
SYLD puts on the Intro to Courts CLE every fall, specifically intended to help those who have just passed the bar become acquainted with the local courts. The committee coordinates volunteers, establishes content, and handles logistics of the CLE, in addition to securing approval of credits from WSBA. For more information and to join the Intro to Courts CLE Committee, contact committee chair Stanley Corbit.
Membership Committee:
The SYLD Membership Committee works to increase involvement of SYLD members in the Division’s activities. This includes planning social and networking events, looking for partnerships with other professional organizations, and suggesting ways to increase the Division’s value to its members. For more information and to join the Membership Committee, contact Andy Wagley, Tim Brandle, and Corey Riordan.
Scholarship Committee:
The Scholarship Committee develops scholarship programs to be sponsored by SYLD. The Committee considers various options for recipients and qualifications, solicits applicants, selects recipients and presents the scholarships. For more information and to join the Scholarship Committee, contact Corey Riordan.
Public Service Committee:
The Public Service Committee is charged with making sure the SYLD membership is aware of pro bono and public service opportunities. The Committee will also plan at least one community service activity for SYLD membership. For more information and to join the Public Service Committee, contact Asta Margaryan, Tim Brandle, Andy Wagley, and Sawyer Margett.
Law Day Committee:
The Law Day Chair plans the content of Law Day presentations in May of every year, coordinates invitations to local high schools for presentations, and secures volunteers for the day of the event. For more information and to join the Law Day Committee, contact Corey Riordan.
Judicial Theater CLE Committee:
SYLD presents Judicial Theater, an ethics CLE, every other year. The committee coordinates members of the bench who volunteer as actors, establishes skit content, and handles the other logistics of the CLE. For more information and to join the 2017-18 Judicial Theater Committee, contact committee co-chairs Deanna Willman and Stephanie Faust.